Patriots Rumors: Mac Jones Called 'Prima Donna' by Insider; NE 'Sick of It'

The New England Patriots surely hoped Mac Jones would be the franchise quarterback when they selected him with a first-round pick in 2021, but he has apparently worn out his welcome after three years.

Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal (h/t Sean T. McGuire of NESN) cited a team source who did not hold back when talking about Jones' decision to attend new head coach Jerod Mayo's introductory press conference.

"He was in his workout gear which is ironic since he cleared his entire locker at the end of the season," the source said. "Not a single hanger. Completely empty. … I mean, come on man. Everyone's watched him play, they've watched him act like a prima donna. The team is sick of it, everyone's sick of it."

To say Jones' future with the Patriots is uncertain would be an understatement.

Keagan Stiefel of NESN noted New England will "likely decline his fifth-year option this offseason." That fifth-year option is for the 2025 season, so it would put even more urgency on the timeline heading into the 2024 campaign.

His trade value is likely about as low as it's been at any point in his career, so moving on from him that way might not be a feasible option unless the team just wants to cut ties entirely.

There was a time when Jones looked like he might live up to expectations when he threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a rookie in 2021. The Patriots made the playoffs that season, although they lost in blowout fashion to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.

But Jones has regressed since.

He was benched at times during the past season and ended up with 10 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions. That he was benched for Bailey Zappe made the struggles all the more notable because it's not as if the 2022 fourth-round pick was a superstar.

In fact, Zappe threw for six touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2023.

New England likely needs a new franchise quarterback if it is going to compete with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. It has the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft and could select someone like Jayden Daniels even if Caleb Williams and Drake Maye go with the first two picks.

That would only further prove the Patriots are done with Jones, and the latest comments suggested that is the case.